India, Maldives Sign 13 MoUs for Ferry Projects

23 May 2025 CW Team

India has signed 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Maldives under a grant of MVR 100 million (approximately Rs 552.8 million) to enhance ferry services and strengthen maritime connectivity in the island nation.

The agreements, signed on 18 May 2025 at the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mark the launch of Phase III of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) — a flagship initiative of India’s grant assistance programme aimed at uplifting community infrastructure and livelihoods.

The MoUs were formalised by Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Indian High Commissioner G Balasubramanian, and Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, who signed on behalf of the implementing agency.

The new projects will support the development of a nationwide high-speed ferry network that already connects 81 islands across nine atolls. Minister Ameen stated that the completion timeline, initially set for 2027, is now expected to be advanced to the end of this year.

Mr Khaleel highlighted that India's assistance has consistently aligned with the needs of the Maldivian people, and these new projects go beyond physical infrastructure. “They are lifelines for communities, solving local challenges, and driving socio-economic growth,” he said.

The Indian High Commission in the Maldives also noted that these projects will reinforce regional connectivity, which is vital to daily life in the archipelago.

The announcement of Phase III of the HICDP was made during Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit to India in October 2024. The latest agreements reflect the deepening ties between the two nations and India’s continued commitment to supporting development in the Maldives.

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